Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyPosts for June, 2007
June 30th, 2007
Peterson Toscano and Christine Bakke of www.BeyondExGay.com and the organizers of the Ex-Gay Survivor’s Conference invited leadership of Exodus International to dinner. Although no one from the Exodus Board was available (Alan Chambers expressed interest in meeting at a separate time), three leaders in affiliated ministries were able to attend. Peterson blogs:
Three leaders of Exodus member ministries joined four of us ex-gay survivors for dinner. No one from Exodus International senior leadership or from the Exodus board attended the dinner, and those present for the dinner stressed that they do not represent Exodus International.
We commend those leaders who chose to take time away from their very busy schedule to listen to former ex-gays express their concerns. We hope that this is a first of many steps taken to open communications between those ex-gays seeking to live lives consistent with their faith and those former ex-gays who have reconciled their faith and their sexuality.
June 30th, 2007
This weekend ex-gay evangelicals and ex-ex-gay survivors are meeting separately in Irvine, CA to discuss either how to walk away from homosexuality or how to survive the damage caused by the effort if that walk doesn’t work.
Next weekend in Austin, TX, the gay and lesbian Catholic organization, Dignity USA, will be meeting to discuss pastoral care needed for those who seek to live a life consistent with both their sexuality and their spirituality.
June 30th, 2007
What do you do if a poll releases information that you don’t like? Well, if you are Focus on the Family, you spin yourself in circles.
The New York Times issued a poll on June 27 revealing some attitudes of America’s youth. The survey of 659 adults ages 17 to 29, dealt with social and political issues and indicated that youth are currently more liberal than are the population as a whole. Let’s compare Focus on the Family’s reporting with the results shown from the poll.
FotF Headline: Young Americans Hold Conservative Views
NY Times Headline: Young Americans Are Leaning Left, New Poll Finds
Focus: Sixty-two percent said abortion should be outlawed or restricted.
Actual poll results:
37% – Abortion should be generally available to those who want it
38% – Abortion should be available but under stricter limits than it is now
24% – Abortion should not be permitted
Focus: Fifty-four percent of young adults expressed opposition to same-sex marriage.
Actual poll results:
44% – gay couples should be allowed to legally marry
24% – gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry
30% – there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship
Now Focus on the Family can argue that the words they put down on paper are technically true. But the message they tried to convey is completely dishonest.
There is no point at which Focus believes that holding “conservative views” includes support for civil unions. Nor is 68% support for recognition of gay couples cause for Focus to triumphantly declare that young Americans “hold conservative views”.
But the worst example in the Focus article of deliberate misinformation is the secondary heading:
A majority opposes abortion and same-sex marriage.
That’s just an outright lie.
(hat tip to Scott H.)
June 29th, 2007
Peterson Toscano and Christine Bakke responded to the CitizenLink’s false characterization of the Ex-Gay Survivor’s Conference:
Our purpose is to serve the needs of former ex-gays, their families, friends, and supporters. The experiences of former ex-gays and their allies have often been mischaracterized and their needs misunderstood. Identifying those needs and moving forward together as a community will happen on its own terms, not as a reaction to or a protest of Exodus.
In response to our attempts to be transparent about our plans and intent, we have been mischaracterized as a protest movement, as seeking to steal hope from ex-gays, and now had our attendance quantified more than a day prior to the conference opening.
We look forward to sitting down with a small handful of Exodus leaders to share a meal and tell our stories Friday evening.
We look forward to hearing a specific affirmative response to our invitation for dialogue with senior Exodus leaders. We continue to challenge ourselves to move carefully, respond humbly, and not bear false witness as we interact with Exodus. We look forward to a similar effort in response from Focus on the Family and Exodus International.
June 29th, 2007
CitizenLink is just making things up. It’s like they’re not even trying to be credible anymore. I got a laugh out of this one, about the two competing ex-gay and ex-ex-gay conferences:
The [Exodus Freedom Conference], which began Tuesday and wraps up Sunday, has drawn close to 1,000 people — and no protesters so far. Across town, a counter-conference drew about 100 people. [Emphasis mine]
Drew? Past tense?
The Ex-gay Survivor’s conference doesn’t begin until this evening. The main events don’t start until tomorrow. Conference organizers haven’t released pre-registration figures, and of course we don’t know how many walk-ups will show.
But thanks, Focus, for the prediction. We’ll see how good it turns out to be.
And let’s bring a little perspective into this little bragging war. This is Exodus’s 32nd conference, but only the first Ex-Gay Survivor’s conference. When Exodus held their first conference in Anaheim in 1976, sixty-two people attended. They broke a hundred in 1977 at their second conference in Oakland.
So I figure if the Ex-gay Survivor’s Conference meets Focus’s past tense reporting of a future event, the Survivors will be off to a great start.
June 29th, 2007
During the Friday morning session of the Exodus Freedom Conference, Randy Thomas made several general announcements — please turn off the cell phones, a car is parked in a no parking zone, if you lost your room key please check with Lost and Found, general stuff like that.
And then he had another announcement. A group of “homosexual activists” invited several Exodus leaders to dinner for Friday evening for dialogue. He said that they didn’t know who all received the invitation, or whether activists might have “infiltrated” the hall to distribute more (As far as I know, they hadn’t). But if anyone had received an invitation, they were to meet with Alan Chambers.
Throughout the week of the Exodus Freedom Conference, several of the speakers spoke movingly of the need for dialogue, repentance and reconciliation because of how some Christian leaders have adversely interacted with gays and lesbians. They even denounced what they see as the false polarities of the culture war, recognizing that Americans are tired of the constant bickering. They appear to be acutely aware that many of those in that very hall who are struggling with their sexuality have been victims of the culture war along with the rest of us who aren’t struggling.
But when an opportunity comes along to engage in dialogue with those who were among their brothers and sisters, it seems Exodus is not ready to talk. At least one ex-gay ministry leader indicated that there is tremendous pressure being placed on them not to attend the dialogue. And anther Exodus leader defended that decision saying, “If we go, they win. And if we don’t go, they win.”
Win or lose. That is the calculus of a culture war. It’s unfortunate that Exodus choses to value dialogue according to who wins or loses. Such calculations merely perpetuate the culture wars. And when that happens everybody loses.
June 29th, 2007
All but one of the international allied forces that served or are serving in Iraq allow openly gay soldiers in their ranks. The Netherlands, who sent 1,100 troops, is one such example.
Some conservatives may find it tempting to think that those responsible for the military grudgingly accept gays and lesbians. However, this notion may be challenged by the announcement that Cees van der Knaap, the Netherlands Defense State Secretary, has decided to march in a gay pride event on Saturday.
A ministry spokesman said Friday that Van der Knaap wants to show moral support for homosexual and lesbian military. “He is stressing via his participation that they are welcome in the armed forces”.
Perhaps our military might wish to take note.
June 28th, 2007
Exodus president Alan Chambers announced a few changes to the Exodus board today during the Exodus Freedom Conference’s evening session. Melissa Coffey replaces Mike Haley as board chairman. Melissa Coffey is a Regent University graduate working at the Christian Counseling Center in Johnson City, NY. She is pursuing her license in New York as a mental health counselor.
Also, Roy Blankenship replaces Dan Puumala as Secretary. John Smid, director of Love In Action continues as vice chair, and Phil Burresss of Ohio-based Citizens for Community Values remains as treasurer.
June 28th, 2007
Jeremy Marks had been active in Exodus between 1988 and 2000, founding Courage UK along the way. Courage UK started as a classic ex-gay ministry before breaking with Exodus become a gay-affirming evangelical ministry. Jeremy was one of three former Exodus and Exodus-affiliated leaders who apologized for “the message of broken truth we spoke on behalf of Exodus and other organizations.”
Jeremy has posted a great article on the Huffington Post renewing last week’s invitation for Exodus leaders to begin a dialogue between the ex-gay movement and ex-gay survivors.
We invite Exodus leaders to sit down with us and discuss our experiences in a spirit of humility and prayer. The time is long overdue for Exodus ministry leaders to face these issues with an attitude of honesty and integrity. With a profound change of heart, they might find, as I have, that years of experience working with lesbian and gay people now equip them to minister to those who have been hurt by “ex-gay” ministries and the homophobia espoused by so many churches.
June 28th, 2007
This morning’s Los Angeles Times reports on yesterday’s apology, as did several local radio outlets in Southern California. The apology by three former Exodus and Exodus-affiliated leaders is getting a lot of attention, although it’s probably not the attention Exodus would like to see.
Meanwhile, the Exodus Freedom Conference continues on its third day. Tonight’s featured speaker will be Rev. Ken Hutcherson, the virulently anti-gay pastor from Redmond, Washington who has been stirring up anti-gay sentiment in Latvia.
June 28th, 2007
Yesterday this site reported on three former Exodus leaders who made a public apology to former clients of exgay programs. I attended that press conference (and helped accept the apology) but also shot video interviews with the three former leaders.
Strategically it has always been difficult to counter Exodus’ claims of change when they use the “I’ve changed and I’m living proof change is possible” argument. I believe these three interviews provide an answer to Exodus’ approach.
Michael Bussee:
Darlene Bogle:
Jeremy Marks:
I asked the same question of other ex-ex-gays at the press conference and those will be uploaded later
BTB Original Video Interview With Michael Bussee, Co-Founder Of Exodus
June 27th, 2007
The Exodus Freedom Conference is in its first full day at Concordia University in Irvine, California. This morning, Beyond Ex-Gay and Soulforce held a press conference at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, at which three former ex-gay leaders apologized for their roles in Exodus-affiliated ex-gay ministries:
As former leaders of ex-gay ministries, we apologize to those individuals and families who believed our message that there is something inherently wrong withvbeing gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Some who heard our message were compelled to try to change an integral part of themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their families. Although we acted in good faith, we have since witnessed the isolation, shame, fear, and loss of faith that this message creates. We apologize for our part in the message of broken truth we spoke on behalf of Exodus and other organizations.
We call on other former ex-gay leaders to join the healing and reconciliation process by adding their names to this apology.
We encourage current leaders of ex-gay programs to have the courage to evaluate the fruit of their programs. We ask them to consider the long-term effects of their ministry.
Among those apologizing were:
You can find their full statements at Beyond Ex-Gay. Beyond Ex-Gay and Soulforce will be holding an Ex-Gay Survivor’s Conference June 29 to July 1 at the University of California at Irvine, literally just a few miles down University Blvd. from the Exodus conference.
June 27th, 2007
Paula Zahn NOW offers a chance to hear from people who matter, talking about the most pressing, most relevant and most essential topics of the day. – CNN
Tonight at 8:00 pm Eastern Time the people who matter will include Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International and Dr. Warren Throckmorton. Also interviewed were a board member of the Transyouth Family Advocates and her 7 year old affirmed female daughter. The subject matter will be
Boys who want to be girls, women who want to be men and gays who want to be straight. Uncovering changing attitudes and changing lifestyles.
Those who can, please tune in and report back. I, for one, am curious about the connection CNN is making between transexuality and religion-based reorientation efforts.
June 27th, 2007
Assumptions about Republicans and gay support generally hold that the two are mutually exclusive. However, a new poll by leading GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio shows a party membership that is not quite as hostile as it once might have been. The national survey (slightly skewed to the South) of 2000 self-identified Republican voters found the following:
77% of Republicans believe an employer should not have the right to fire an employee based solely on their sexual orientation. Even among social conservatives, 67% don’t believe an employer should be able to fire someone for being gay.
49% of Republicans believe gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the U.S. military, while 42% are opposed.
43% of Republicans support either marriage equality or civil unions. 51% oppose all relationship recognition.
53% of respondents agree that “the Republican Party has spent too much time focusing on moral issues such as abortion and gay marriage and should instead be spending time focusing on economic issues such as taxes and government spending.”
While these numbers show much room for improvement, they also indicate that the days may be waning when an anti-gay position wins you elections.
Update: Here’s the source: The Elephant Looks In The Mirror. Ten Years Later. (PDF: 260 KB/87 pages)
June 27th, 2007
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp poll released today revealed the following attitudes Americans have about homosexuality:
Can gay people reorient: 56% say no; 45% say yes
What “causes” homosexuality: 42% say upbringing; 39% birth; 10% both; 3% neither
Let gay people serve openly in the military: 79% say yes; 18% say no
Recognize gay couples: 24% marriage; 27% civil unions; 43% neither
Allow gay couples to adopt: 57% say yes; 40% say no
Featured Reports
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.
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